WinHelp Overview


I ceased updating this WinHelp page and its subsidiaries in October 2000 because the techniques of WinHelp, which were innovative in the early 90's as a desktop or networked resource, had by the end of the century been superseded by global and personal interactive access to the World Wide Web (usually called "the Internet", even though the Internet is a whole lot more than just a browser):

WinHelp 'n Me
I worked extensively with Microsoft® Windows Help (WinHelp) from 1992 until 1996. Although I began by using it conventionally, as support for Windows applications, I soon realised its potential for delivery of standalone documentation and concentrated on using it to publish large volumes of on-line reference material related to corporate administration. The source material was frequently revised and updated, and its electronic publication as WinHelp files on LANs, on standalone PCs including laptops, and via an Intranet resulted in more efficient distribution and significant savings over the printed references previously used.

WinHelp development was always only a sideline for me professionally, and as the availability of skilled authors increased I was able to leave the development side in other hands. However, I went hands-off with mixed feelings, and for some time after I maintained a keen interest in its use for information distribution, and use it a lot for personal projects. I always preferred to develop in WinHelp3, as it does most things I need, it serves the many users who are still on the Windows 3 platform, and it is upward-compatible to Win95. (I should mention that I have worked with WinHelp4 under Win95 when necessary, but never with HTML-Help.)


Saving WinHelp3
Microsoft didn't market WinHelp3 as a tool for authoring hypertext, and official documentation was sparse and limited in concept. It fell to imaginative individuals, "WinHelpers" from a wide variety of backgrounds and too many to name, to delve into its secrets, stretch its capabilities, and by sharing their knowledge turn WinHelp authoring into the significant industry it now is - as evidenced by the marketing of Winhelp4 and the proliferation of Help Authoring Tools (HATs). Unfortunately, with a few exceptions, much of the knowledge of those pioneers exists only in fragmented correspondence and in the personal memories and notes of those who were involved. This site is largely an attempt to conserve that knowledge.

Why bother? Two reasons: Firstly, an understanding of WinHelp3 techniques is fully transferable to WinHelp4 development, and as WinHelp3 can be tackled in much more of a hands-on manner than its successor, it is excellent background for designing and debugging the latter; secondly, WinHelp3 is still necessary while ever there exists a substantial base of 16-bit Windows 3 users.


What's here for you?
If you are thinking of getting into WinHelp authoring, check out my WinHelp Resources page. As well as an introduction to the technique, you will also find information on how to connect with other WinHelpers, and links to other Internet sites which have useful material such as demonstrations by some of the pioneers of advanced WinHelp authoring. The Resources page also links to step-by-step details of useful WinHelp3 Hacks, which I'll add to from time to time.

On my Distribution page you will find examples of WinHelp used as a medium for standalone reference material, which you are welcome to download for study or enjoyment. You will also find there some custom Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) I created to give WinHelp additional features, which you may download and use without charge in support of your own projects.
(There's also other material, unconnected with WinHelp, which you might find interesting anyway.)

I will leave these pages in place indefinitely for whatever benefit they provide to WinHelp authors. However, I regret that as I no longer work in the WinHelp medium it is not practical for me to provide advice to Winhelp authors, so please do not send me questions.



Created 9 Aug 1995 : Last updated 09 October 2012.